Chapter 10

Celia's POV

The next day, I was called into Healer Anderson’s office.

He's a very very famous Old Healer. He's our pack's proud. Almost the best Healer in the world.

Many people dream of becoming his student, some even going crazy for the slightest chance to meet him.

He was intrigued by my grandmother’s rare illness—that’s how we met.

When I entered the small and warm room, Healer Anderson smiled at me, gesturing to the seat to sit.

“I am very surprised to see you in here, Celia,” Healer Anderson begins.

He offers me a glass of tea, which I take, and smile at him.

“I would have never expected you to make such a bold choice!” Anderson says.

I stifle a chuckle and take a sip from the teacup.

The green tea is hot and soothes my nerves. I set it back down on the saucer and turn my attention back to Healer Anderson.

“Before I can let you go on the mission, though, I need to quiz you on a few things. Are you ready?” He asks, his smile warm and comforting.

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” I respond, matching his energy. He nods and begins the test.

The test is quite simple.

Healer Anderson asks me a question and I give him an answer in return.

He quizzes me over the basics, such as what to do when a patient comes in with open wounds, or what to do when a patient comes in and claims that something is wrong with them when there isn’t anything wrong with them.

The questions get harder as time moves on. He asks me about medicines, both pharmaceutical and holistic, and picks a part my answers, which I easily counter with reasons as to why I chose my specific answer.

He nodded along as I spoke, watching me closely while I explained the differences between pain medication and what to warn patients of when it comes to side effects. I can’t tell if the smile on his face is one that is proud of my achievements or if it is one of mockery.

“...You are very kind, Celia,” Healer Anderson smiles at me.

“Not only did you answer my questions, but you included how you would approach the patient depending on their condition.”

“Me?” I blink at him, shocked.

I wouldn’t say that I am kind or generous. My ambitions lie within saving my Grandma and I. If anything, my kindness is rooted in selfishness.

...I don't deserve this word.

“You’re holding something back from me,” Healer Anderson catches me off guard. “I know you are of the wolf-less condition. Is there something that could possibly be holding you back?”

“I…” my voice falters.

I clear my throat and shift uncomfortably in my seat. “I don’t know…um, when I turned eighteen, I witnessed my parents get into a car accident…one that they both died in. I haven’t been able to shift after witnessing it.”

Healer Anderson nods to himself. He takes a few moments of silence, his eyes burning into mine. I wipe away any tears that form, not allowing them to fall from my eyes.

“I see,” he hums.

“I believe there is still a chance for you to awaken your wolf. Your trauma is holding your wolf back, yes, but I believe that you can overcome it.”

“You do?” I ask, clinging onto hope.

Healer Anderson nods.

“Yes. I would like to invite you to join me for a similar case to yours. You know of the Alpha King’s mother, yes? The former Luna has fallen into a coma due to trauma. Perhaps there is a connection we can find that will help the two of you.”

“I would love that! thank you so much!” I smile and nod, containing my excitement.

We stand and Healer Anderson walks me to his office door. I shake his hand and exit, quickly finding Lily in the break room.

I jump into the set beside her and grab her arm, relentlessly shaking it. She laughs and moves with me, my energy infecting her.

“What are we excited about?” She asks with a smile.

“Healer Anderson thinks I’m exceptional! He’s asked me to join him on a case!” I exclaim.

Lily gasps and pulls me into a hug.

“Congrats! You deserve it!”

“Thank you! I have to go find Ethan so I can register for the mission, though! I’ll see you later, yeah?” I stand from the chair and exit the room. I barely hear Lily’s reply as I quickly walk down the winding hallways.

“...What does she have to be happy about?” a nearby she-wolf snickers.

I slow my pace and look at them.

“Did she finally find a job that’s worthy of her ‘exceptional’ skills? Does she not know that the job is for losers?”She says.

I sigh and turn to Ethan’s office door. It opens before I can turn it and I smile at Ethan. He lets me inside his office and closes the door behind me.

“I am here to register for the the job! Healer Anderson sent me!” I turn and smile at him. Ethan stands close to me, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Really?” Ethan tilts his head to the side. “I heard he’s hard on people. He even passed on Bianca to be his apprentice…interesting. How did you do on his tests?”

“He said I was exceptional and kind,” I bat my eyelashes at him. His cheeks turn a light pink color. He clears his throat and walks to his desk, sitting down.

“Oh really? You did amazing, then! Congratulations!”

“Thank you! It’s all thanks to my mother. She taught me everything that I need to know,” I smile. My phone vibrates in my pocket.

Now, there’s nothing stopping me from leaving the pack.

But just then, my phone vibrated. I quickly apologized to Ethan and took it out to check.

It was a message—from Soren’s Beta.

…He was asking to meet me.

Ethan's POV

Celia is impressive, truly.

Ever since she told me about her success with Healer Anderson, her situation and background has left me perplexed.

I stare at her registration papers on my desk, my finger tracing over her name.

Since werewolves rarely fell ill, mainly becoming injured from external forces, Healers has become an extremely valuable profession. Nobles send their children to become Healers for the accolades and pay, regardless of their talent. Being a Healer, to them, is a way to flaunt their wealth and status.

Commoners, compared to these noble families, have no medical aptitude. Why is Celia so exceptional, then?

I turn to my computer and turn it on. Going to the hospital’s records, I pull up Celia’s profile. I follow the trail to her mother, like she mentioned, and type her name into the computer’s search engine.

Celia’s mother pops up but there is little information on her.

Trying to find information on this topic is like blindly shooting an arrow into the dark hoping it hits the bullseye.

An article about exceptional Healers catches my eye. With one click, I read through the article and discover that Celia’s mother was a Healer in another region, not the one she lives in now. She wasn’t a Healer for the Werewolf Pack either.

Celia’s techniques are unlike anything I’ve seen before. From the times I’ve watched her perform tasks and pull off borderline miracles, I knew there is something special about her. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen in the Werewolf Pack!

...Could Celia’s background be as extraordinary as her medial talent? Or is she a rare case that defies all logic?